NISSAN 2011 Altima Hybrid - First Responder's Guide - Manual (Page 21)

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Repositioning the steering wheel:
The Altima Hybrid is equipped with a tilting telescopic
steering column. To adjust the tilt: pull the lever (1) all the
way toward you and adjust the steering wheel up or down
in the desired direction (2). Release the lever after the
desired position has been achieved.
To adjust the telescopic position: pull the lever (1) all the
way toward you and adjust the steering wheel forward or
backward (3) into the desired position. Release the lever
after the desired position has been achieved.
Fire
Approach and extinguish a fire using proper vehicle fire fighting practices as recommended by NFPA, IFSTA,
or the National Fire Academy (USA).
Extinguishing agent
Water has been proven to be a suitable extinguishing agent.
Initial fire attack
Perform a fast, aggressive fire attack.
Divert the runoff from entering watershed areas.
Attack teams may not be able to identify an Altima Hybrid until the fire has been knocked down
and overhaul operations have commenced.
Fire in a high voltage battery
Should a fire occur in the Ni-MH high voltage battery, attack crews should utilize a water stream
or fog pattern to extinguish any fire within the trunk EXCEPT for the high voltage battery.
When allowed to burn themselves out, the Altima Hybrid Ni-MH battery modules burn rapidly and can quickly
be reduced to ashes except for the metal.
Offensive fire attack
Flooding the Altima Hybrid high voltage battery is not recommended due to the battery case design and
location preventing the responder from properly, and safely, applying water through the available vent
openings. Therefore, it is recommended that the incident commander allow the Altima Hybrid high voltage
battery to burn itself out.
Normally, flooding a Ni-MH high voltage battery with copious amounts of water at a safe distance will
effectively control the high voltage battery fire by cooling the adjacent Ni-MH battery modules to a point below
their ignition temperature. The remaining modules on fire, if not extinguished by the water, will burn themselves
out.
Defensive fire attack
DANGER:
Never breach or remove the high voltage battery under any circumstances, including fire. Doing
so could result in serious injury or death from electrical shock.
The Ni-MH battery electrolyte is a caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is damaging to human tissues. To
avoid injury by coming in contact with the electrolyte, wear proper personal protective equipment.